What Happens If Cataracts Are Left Untreated?

If you have cataracts, they will get worse over time. Leaving cataracts untreated can not just affect the overall quality of your life but can also lead to complete loss of vision. A World Health Organization report identifies cataracts as one of the leading causes of vision impairment or blindness. Before we try to delve more deeply into the topic,  let us first understand what exactly are cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of the clear eye lens. It occurs when the proteins in the eye lens clump together and prevent the eye from seeing clear images. Cataracts can form in one eye or both and they can progress differently in each one. Over here some of our best eye specialists in Kolkata discuss what are the complications associated with untreated cataracts: 

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  • Hypermature cataracts: When cataracts are not timely removed, they can become hyper mature. These cataracts are so dense that they are difficult to remove surgically. Even if surgery is done, results might not be  satisfactory. Early diagnosis of cataracts and their removal thus becomes necessary. 
  • Loss of vision: At first, when a cataract develops, only a small part of the lens  of the eyes is affected. At this stage, you may not even know that you have cataract. As the cataract grows, it is likely to distort your vision. This may lead to noticeable symptoms. When left untreated for too long, it can lead to vision impairment. 
  • Increased risk of glaucoma: Those with cataracts are usually at a higher risk to develop glaucoma. 

How untreated cataracts can affect the quality of life ?

Untreated cataracts can make reading and driving, especially at night, difficult. It can affect your ability to engage in hobbies and sports.  

What should you do if you suspect you have a cataract?

If you notice any vision changes, see an eye specialist without any delay. Your eye specialist will  provide  you with the right information and it will help you  make an informed decision about treatment options. 

What is cataract surgery? 

Cataract surgery involves removal of the damaged lens and then replacing the same with an artificial lens. If you wait too long to get your cataracts removed, they can become hyper-mature, making them more difficult to remove. This can lead to surgery  complications. To achieve the best outcomes, cataract surgery should be done soon after vision problems start developing. In most cases, people resume normal routine within a few days of the surgery. The success rate is high and the complication rate is low.

If you are looking for affordable cataract treatment in West Bengal, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. Some of the best eye specialists in Kolkata will advise you about the best treatment options. 

 

Paediatric Eye Exams: A Useful Guide For Parents

Since a child is born, he or she develops and learns about the world around them through their sense of sight. A good vision is key to a child’s development. Reading, writing and using a computer are among the visual tasks that children perform daily.  As learning in the classroom is mainly visual, if your child is having difficulty seeing clearly, his or her learning can be adversely affected. As parents, you must ensure that your child’s eyes are healthy by getting them checked at certain development stages. An eye examination is recommended as early as when your child is 6 months old.

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 As a leading eye hospital in West Bengal, we share with you a useful guide that will help you ensure that your child’s eyes are developing normally:

 

  • First test at 6 months: An infant’s visual system starts developing over the first few months of life. Crucial milestones such as crawling, hand-eye coordination and walking are all dependent on the development of eyesight. Infants should have their first eye exam at 6 months of age. At this stage, the eye specialist will check whether  the eyes are developing at the right pace or not.  The doctor may also check the eyes for paediatric eye conditions such as strabismus, farsightedness, nearsightedness and astigmatism. If an infant is born premature or showing signs of developmental delay, more frequent visits to an eye hospital are required. 

 

  • Preschool to 5 years: As toddlers are about to start preschool, they learn to colour, draw, cut paper and play games. Fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination are essential for them to read, write and take part in several activities.   Schedule an eye test when your child is about to start preschool. If you notice your child rubbing his or her eyes too much, squinting or sitting very close to the TV, you should see an eye doctor immediately. An eye doctor may recommend a series of tests such as a visual acuity test, colour vision test and ocular exam to check how well your child sees objects both near and distant.

 

  • Age 6 to 18: Poor vision can cause children and teens to suffer academically, socially and personally. If your child is having trouble in school or in other activities, get his or her eyes checked as there could be an underlying vision problem. Children who find it difficult to read or coordinate their hands and eyes may exhibit behavioural problems out of frustration. They may be facing problems in seeing things properly but may not know how to express themselves. An eye doctor will check near vision, distance vision, binocular vision (ability to use both eyes together for depth perception) and peripheral vision. 

 

Common eye tests for children include  

  • LEA symbols test: This test is just like regular eye tests. For children and toddlers, instead of alphabets, there are symbols. This test is one of the most common vision screening tests in preschool and school age.
  • Retinoscopy: This test is done to detect refractive errors in children. The test is done by shining a light into the eye and observing the back of the eye. This helps the eye doctor to determine if your child needs eyeglasses or not. The eye prescription is determined by this test. 
  • Random dot stereopsis: This test is done to measure how well a child’s eyes work together. The test has a high success rate in the preschool age. It can be carried out easily to detect strabismus and amblyopia. 

 

Common eye problems among children

When it comes to vision, children face many problems. Some of them include: 

  • Eye allergies: Eye allergies can affect everyone, including children. Allergies caused by pet dander, pollen and mold can cause eyes to water or become red.
  • Conjunctivitis: Though easily treatable, conjunctivitis is highly contagious. 
  • Amblyopia or lazy eye: This disorder typically appears during infancy and early childhood. It affects the development of vision and should be treated without any delay. If left untreated, it can cause long-term vision problems. 
  • Refractive errors: Farsightedness and nearsightedness are very common among toddlers and children. These errors can be corrected with prescribed eyeglasses.
  • Strabismus or crossed eyes: This eye condition occurs when the eyes do not work as a team or are misaligned. Early treatment options such as special eyewear or the use of an eye patch can help in correcting the condition. 

 

Signs that your child is struggling with an eye problem 

  • Delayed motor development 
  • Squinting 
  • Frequent eye rubbing 
  • Not maintaining eye contact 
  • Misalignment of the eyes 
  • Not tracking objects 
  • Short attention span
  • Headaches 
  • Constant blinking 
  • Avoiding activities that require visual attention 
  • Tilting the head to one side
  • Watching TV closely or reading a book too close 

 

When to see an eye doctor? 

During childhood, vision changes frequently. Your child should receive an eye examination every year or more frequently if specific problems have been detected. Most vision problems are treated properly if they are detected and corrected as early as possible. Do inform the eye doctor if you have a family history of eye diseases. 

 

If you are looking for an eye hospital with a dedicated Paediatric Ophthalmology unit, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We conduct various eye tests for toddlers, pre-school children and verbal children. Our paediatric ophthalmologist & strabismologist are experienced in treating paediatric strabismus, paediatric cataract, amblyopia, allergic disorders (red eye) and paediatric glaucoma.

 

How do you know if eye pain is serious?

Eye pain falls into two categories: Ocular pain and orbital pain. Ocular pain occurs on the surface of the eye while orbital pain occurs within the eye.

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Over here we will discuss what causes eye pain and when should you visit an eye hospital:

 

Causes of ocular pain

You may experience eye pain on the surface of the eye because of the following reasons

  • Foreign objects: When irritants such as a speck of dirt, makeup, grit or a twig get into the eye – they cause eye pain along with symptoms such as eye irritation, redness and watery eyes. Wash your eyes with cold water. Even after a day if you feel that something is stuck inside your eyes, you should seek medical treatment.
  • Conjunctivitis: Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis is an infection that causes pain in the eyes along with redness in the white portion, itchiness and watery eyes. Though conjunctivitis is not serious or vision-threatening, it can be highly contagious. If you have conjunctivitis, see an eye doctor for medications.
  • Injury: If you were involved in an accident and because of it you are experiencing pain in the eye, you must see an eye doctor to rule out serious damage. If your eyes have come into contact with chemicals and you are experiencing a burning sensation, visit an eye doctor immediately. The severity of the burn depends on the chemical and the amount that has gone inside your eyes. Chemical eye burns are a medical emergency and should not be ignored.
  • Infections: There are several eye infections such as blepharitis and sty that can cause pain in the eyes. An eye doctor can diagnose an infection by performing a physical examination of the eye. Depending on the severity of inflammation and pain, the doctor may prescribe eye drops or ointment.

 

Causes of orbital pain

There are several conditions that can cause eye pain within the eye and some of them are as follows:

 

  • Glaucoma: This eye condition occurs when intraocular pressure or pressure inside the eye increases, damaging the optic nerve. The condition gets worse over time. If you are experiencing eye pain along with vision loss and feeling of nausea, visit an eye doctor without any delay. Seeking immediate medical treatment can help prevent long-term vision loss.
  • Optic neuritis: This eye condition occurs when swelling damages the optic nerve. Optic neuritis causes pain with eye movement and temporary vision loss in one eye. Sometimes the eye pain may feel like a dull ache. With the help of medications and steroids, the vision can be restored, https://nygoodhealth.com/product/prednisone/.

 

When is eye pain serious?

In the following cases, visit an eye hospital without delay:

  • The pain is unusually severe or accompanied by headache or fever.
  • Sudden changes in vision.
  • It is caused by a foreign object or chemical.
  • You have trouble moving your eyes.
  • There is blood or pus coming out of the eyes.

 

If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, get medical help right away. The emergency OPD at Disha Eye Hospitals has a dedicated doctor 24X7. Patients with eye emergencies are seen without any prior appointment.

 

Comprehensive Information On Blepharitis By A Leading Eye Hospital in Kolkata

Your eyelids protect your eyes from foreign objects and injuries. At the end of eyelids are the eyelashes. The follicles of the eyelashes contain oil glands. Sometimes, these oil glands become clogged leading to certain eyelid disorders. One of the common disorders is blepharitis. It usually affects both eyes along the edges of the eyelids, causing irritation and redness. Though blepharitis can cause a lot of discomfort, it doesn’t cause permanent damage to your eyesight. As a leading eye hospital in Kolkata, we present to you some useful information on blepharitis:

Comprehensive information on Blepharitis by a leading eye hospital in Kolkata

Causes of blepharitis

The exact cause of blepharitis cannot always be determined. It could be caused due to either a skin condition or a bacterial infection. However, there are different factors that may increase your risk of blepharitis. Those suffering from dandruff on the scalp or eyebrow are at high risk of getting blepharitis. Even an allergic reaction to cosmetics can trigger blepharitis.

 

Signs that you have blepharitis

Here are some common signs that may indicate that you have blepharitis:

  • One of the most common signs of blepharitis is swollen eyelids.
  • You may also feel itching, irritation and discomfort.
  • Eye mucus may form a crust around the eyelashes.
  • Eyelids may feel sticky especially after waking up.
  • You may experience blurred vision that may improve with blinking.
  • Burning sensation in the eyes.
  • Sensitivity to light.

 

Diagnosing eyelid blepharitis

The best way to know whether you have blepharitis or not is to see an eye specialist. In some cases, a physical examination of your eye is enough to diagnose the condition. The eye doctor will check the eyes for inflammation as well as for infection. In case of a serious infection, the eye doctor may suggest more tests.

 

Treatment for blepharitis

Depending on the severity of inflammation, your eye doctor may recommend other treatment. Some of the common treatment options are:

  • Steroids: In case the inflammation doesn’t go away, then your doctor may prescribe steroids.
  • Antibiotics: The doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of oral medicine or eye drops, http://www.papsociety.org/priligy-dapoxetine/.

Potential complications if blepharitis is left untreated

Blepharitis can be easily diagnosed and treated. However, when left untreated, it may lead to complications. Some of the complications are:

  • Loss of eyelashes: Blepharitis can cause your eyelashes to fall. As hair follicles are scarred, this may cause the eyelashes to either fall out or grow incorrectly or lose colour.
  • Eyelid skin problems. If you are suffering from long-term blepharitis, then your eyelids may turn inward or outward.
  • Eye infection: Not treating blepharitis can lead to eye infections like sty, chalazion and conjunctivitis. Though these infections can be easily treated, they can cause irritation and discomfort.

 

How to prevent blepharitis ?

Blepharitis can be uncomfortable and painful but it is not completely preventable. However, you can take measure to reduce the risk:

    • Make sure whenever you touch your eyes, you wash your hands first. Rubbing the eyes with dirty hands can spread an existing infection.
    • Wash your face regularly to avoid eye infection.
    • Avoid using eye makeup.

 

 

When to see an eye doctor?

If you feel pain in your eyelids, see an eye doctor before it becomes more painful. If you are looking for an eye hospital in Kolkata, visit Disha Eye Hospitals. We have the expertise and skills to provide the best eye care possible. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, you can also consult our doctors online.